Sk B9 Tier A-b Interviews 1 Of 2 Fdr- Bolten Interview Request 176

Thomas H. Kean CHAIR Lee H. Hamilton VICE CHAIR Richard Ben-Veniste Max Cleland Frederick F. Fielding

October 27, 2003 The Honorable Joshua B. Bolten Director Office of Management and Budget Eisenhower Executive Office Building 725 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20503

Jamie S. Gorelick Slade Gorton John F. Lehman Timothy J. Roemer James R. Thompson

PhjiUiD. Zelikow EX

~IVE DIRECTOR

Dear Mr. Bolten: As you know, the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (better known as the 9-11 Commission) is directed by statute to prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including the nation's preparedness for, and immediate response to, the attacks. The Commission is also chartered to identify and evaluate lessons learned and provide recommendations to prevent future acts of terrorism upon our nation. Public Law 107-306 authorizes the Commission to secure needed information directly from any agency. Thus far, the Commission has compiled an extensive written record numbering more than 2 million pages from the current administration and its predecessor. Building on this record, meetings with senior policymakers will be essential to developing an authoritative narrative of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Your perspective is vital to the Commission's work, and we are therefore writing to request a meeting with you during the week of February 17, 2004. The Commission wishes to discuss a range of topics with you, including (but not limited to) your description, analysis, and assessment of: •

The immediate response of the White House to the 9-11 attacks, including your own actions, advice, and decisions (including coordination of air defenses) in the aftermath of the attacks.

•

The work of, and your involvement with, the Domestic Consequences Principals Committee in the aftermath of the attacks.

You may wish to review notes and other documents to refresh your recollection of these matters prior to the meeting. 301 7th Street SW, Room 5125 Washington, DC 20407 T 202.331.4060 F 202.296.5545 www.9-1 lcommission.gov

The Honorable Joshua B. Bolten October 27, 2003 Page 2 We are, of course, interested in any other issues you deem relevant to the Commission's understanding of 9-11 specifically and counterterrorism policy generally, as well as your thoughts on policy recommendations for the future. Members of the Commission and select staff will attend, and it is the general policy of the Commission to record such meetings. Please have a member of your staff contact Daniel Leopold at (202) 331-4064 to indicate your availability for such a meeting and to relay any questions you or your staff may have. Thank you in advance for your time and cooperation with the Commission and its staff in this important matter. Yours sincerely,

Thomas H. Kean Chair cc:

Lee H. Hamilton Vice Chair

Daniel Levin, U.S. Department of Justice Thomas A. Monheim, Associate Counsel to the President